While he’s still giving the Royals some good production in terms of numbers, Butler is way below what he’s usually capable of for Kansas City. He definitely doesn’t have to take criticism for the woes the Royals are experiencing as a team, but the Royals can’t afford to have anyone producing less than what they have in the past. Butler definitely is not having the type of season he’s capable of, so Kansas City is hurting somewhat for that reason.

Last year, Butler’s bat was tremendous for 162 games. He batted .313 with a slugging percentage of 510. He delivered 29 home runs and 107 RBI. His power numbers are down and Butler needs to get those going again. His batting average is currently 42 points lower than a year ago and his slugging percentage is 108 points lower at .402. Since he became a full-time player in 2009, Butler has usually hit more than .300. The Royals have been hitting so mediocre as a team and it would help greatly for Butler to boost his batting average.

His poorest season, if you can call it that, was a down 2011 with a .291 batting average, but he had 19 home runs and 95 RBI. This season so far, all of Butler’s numbers are down. They need to get higher. If they do, the Royals will be in excellent shape and could possibly make a run at the American League’s Central Division title.